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Synopsis

The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Monday dismissed the bail plea of Uttar Pradesh MLA Abbas Ansari who is son of the notorious politician-turned-gangster Mukhtar Ansari, in connection to an arms license case.

The bench of Justice Subhash Vidyarthi underscored the discovery of substantial quantities of arms and ammunition at Ansari's New Delhi residence.

While highlighting that Ansari had exercised such great influence upon jail authorities in the past that had resulted in frequent visits to the jail by his wife without any permission or without any checking, while she used to carry her mobile phone inside the jail, court held that this showed the possibility of witnesses being influenced and evidence being tampered.

Accordingly, considering the nature of allegations against Ansari and the material relied upon by the prosecution, Ansari's status as a sharpshooter and a Member of the Legislative Assembly and also the possibility of him being able to influence the witnesses in case of his release on bail, court rejected his bail plea. 

In October 2019, Ansari was named in an FIR alleging the acquisition of multiple firearms under a specific license. Claiming to be a notable shooter, he purportedly transferred the license from Lucknow to Delhi without notifying the relevant police station. Consequently, he continued using licenses from two different states under distinct IDs, the FIR alleged.

Ansari faced charges under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 of the Indian Penal Code, and Section 30 of the Arms Act.

During his bail plea, Ansari argued that, as a renowned shooter, he was entitled to possess ten firearms, while he only had seven, which was within the legal limit. He contended that the alleged offences occurred in New Delhi, and therefore, the UP Police lacked jurisdiction to file the FIR in Police Station Mahanagar.

Case title Abbas Ansari vs. State Of U.P. Thru. Prin. Secy, Home Lko.